Cycling shorts issue - any thoughts?

[NMRider]

I bought myself a pair of Cannondale 2006 Domestique shorts (love love love the pocket in back). I am having an issue with the leg openings - when I go over about 45 miles, I get massive welts on top of my legs where the rubber hits the thigh. They go away after a few days and don't hurt or burn or itch or anything, they are just ugly. I am thinking it's not an allergy, 'cause it's only on top of my legs, and it's not sunburn b/c I am sunscreened up and some of the welts are under the fabric. The only thing I can think of is that the leg openings are on the snug side, even though they fit great through the waist/hips (no thunder thighs jokes, please ). Anyone else ever have this issue and have some thoughts for me or am I the only one to have this dubious honor? Thanks.

[alpinerabbit]

Apparently, that's why some people turn the elastic around?

Other reasons are to show off the company logo and, no kidding, I heard this one myself, to move the biker tan line up by half an inch. Same person was wearing a sleeveless top and no gloves.

[csr1210]

Hi - I have the Cannondale Singletrack shorts and HATE them - the elastic just seems way tighter on my admittedly chubby thighs than other shorts I now have. Larger size didn't help, because the smaller pair were already a little large in other areas. I bought some Shebeest shorts and it solved the welps problem.

Have you tried flipping the elastic up so that at least its not rubbing/gripping on your leg. I couldn't do that because these were kinda short and having the tight elastic up higher on the leg was terrible.

Hope that helps - I just found that Cannondale shorts and my thighs don't mix well...

[Velobambina]

Maybe it is an allergy, but it just takes having the shorts on longer for it to affect your skin? Or could the shorts be rubbing your skin, irritating it after wearing the shorts for an extended period of time?

[NMRider]

yeah, that's a thought, but I didn't want to make them any tighter around the leg. Switzerland, huh? We spent about 8 days in Suisse, shoot, about ten years ago. Lovely.

[NMRider]

Sorry, my reply was to alpinerabbit, no other responses while I was typing.

Same thing, trying to avoid making them any tighter. They aren't uncomfortably tight, but not sure if rolling them up would do that. Interesting that someone else also has Cannondale thigh issues. I love the shorts from the hips on up, but I definitely do not have skinny legs.

Thanks for the thoughts!

[GLC1968]

Do the welts look like swollen bites...some quite large in surface area? Is it hot where you are/ride?

I also have big legs compared to the rest of me, and I also get what I am assuming are the same welts. They were red and ugly and they didn't go away for a few days. And, mine were both below and above the short line as well. For me, it didn't matter which shorts I wore...I normally wear PI Ultrasensors, but I got the welts wearing Shebeest and Terry, too. And I did try turning up the elastic, and that didn't help.

Come to find out, for me, it was related to heat. It was a weird form of heat rash that manifested itself only on the tops of my thighs. It didn't itch or burn or hurt...it was just ugly (and when it was at it's worst, the surface felt somewhat hot to the touch). I paid extra close attention one day and I could feel them starting. My whole body was begining to 'wilt' and when I looked down, sure enough...they were just appearing. I've found that the only way I can keep them at bay is by keeping my core temp down. Dumping water on my head, wearing a water soaked buff, trying to avoid riding at mid-day...etc. I haven't had them yet this year, but we haven't hit the worst of the summer heat yet either.

Oh, and they only appeared on long rides (greater than about 55 miles) I think because 1) it takes my body that long to get to the 'overheating' temps and 2) the longer our rides, the later in the day I was riding (and the hotter it was).

You may have something totally different, but it sure sounds familiar!

[NMRider]

Velobambina, I was thinking allergy to begin with, too, but it's only on the top of my legs that it happens -- not on the back of my legs. Weird.

[NMRider]

GLC, that totally sounds like what I have !!!!!! They are hot and BIG, several inches across, and only on top of my thighs, but don't itch or hurt. My thighs/legs are also big compared w/ the rest of me. And, yes, indeed, I am in southern NM and training for a century in TX (the Hotter 'n Hell) so I am doing mid-day training. Wow. I feel better knowing I am not the only one.

How did you figure out it was heat rash?

[GLC1968]

I know the feeling! It's nice to know that we aren't crazy, right?

In fact, I read your post and had to check that it wasn't one I'd posted last year getting bumped up again. I asked the exact same question last summer!!

I had to resort to wearing only capri's or longer skirts in the worst heat here (when not on the bike) to hide it...it's super ugly, isn't it? I was afraid people would think I was contagious!

[GLC1968]

Oops, I forgot to answer your question!

I don't remember exactly how I figured it out. Process of elimination, I think. I did a lot of online research, but I could never find any descriptions that matched my issue. I was going to make an appointment with a dermatologist when I had a bit of a 'breakthrough'.

I rode a century last August that I was expecting to be VERY hot (it's the reason I was training in the heat). It turned out to be the coldest day of the summer (and raining for the first 50 miles) and lo-and-behold...100 miles later in the same shorts I always wear and I got no rash. After that, I made a point of paying attention to my body as it started to heat up and I got to a point where I could almost pinpoint when it was occuring by how I felt. Then I did experiments with long hot rides but using a LOT of water for cooling and sure enough, I could keep it from happening.

[NMRider]

GLC -

Go figure. What you say makes total sense to me, as last week I rode an early 30-miler w/ some friends before any heat of the day hit, and had no issue at all. Only when it gets hot do I get welty.

This is the first time I posted, I am very glad you were reading today! So good to know I am not nuts. (Well, at least about this! ) I think I will start carrying extra water just to cool my legs and start paying attention to when it starts up.

Many thanks!

[annie]

no kidding, I heard this one myself, to move the biker tan line up by half an inch. Same person was wearing a sleeveless top and no gloves.

LOL! That could be me...... 'cept I'm in the states. I am a bit short to start with (5'1) and really don't want tan lines down by my knees. I turn up my shorts, just till they're long enough so my thighs don't rub on the saddle. I go sleeveless whenever possible. And I haven't worn gloves for 3 years. I am quite happy that way. Lots of room on the road for bikers who don't "LOOK" like pro bikers, I hope.

Annie

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I almost posted this exact same question yesterday! I got my SECOND appearance of these heat welts (welps?). It DOES look like some kind of contageous rash or hives, doesn't it? I even took pictures of mine to put on here! LOL. (obviously I chickened out) I'm glad I'm not the only one..and THANK YOU GLC for posting a very common sense/deductive reasoning answer to this issue!

I got this rash (1st time in the season) on the 4th..where I also apparently overdid something with my left knee (grrrrr).. The rash hadn't gone completely away before Sunday's ride...but oh well. I thought I'd drank enough, but now I don't think so. I was out about 3hrs in the midday frame (11-2) and didn't quite finish 40oz of Powerade and water. Shame on me!!!

Oh - and I was wearing Descente Bliss shorts...so I knew it couldn't be elastic or gripper allergy of some kind.. I love those... they leave a nice higher tan line. However.. I also love love my Shebeest Triple S shorts. They're super comfy.

NM Rider - I'm also training for HHH!

I may make a separate post about my knee issue.... wah.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Okay....I gathered some courage after all (plus I had to figure out how to attach a picture again) since others here appear to have the same issue....

Is THIS what it looked like?? (please say yes please say yes) :P

Its only on the tops and outsides of my thighs... no where else.

(The other rounding welt by my right knee there is just a mosquito bite...doggone things are plentiful around here after all the rain we've gotten in Oklahoma... BLEH.)